Tip for car service driver

Did the quote specifically state that? That tips were not included???
I would typically say it is more common for this type of service in Italy to be quoted a rate and expect to pay that amount, not more.

If the driver in route makes another stop for you give them some extra but would consider that for the extra service not a tip.
If a taxi I would round up and/or not ask for change but for this type of quoted rate I would pay the amount and not tip in Italy, I don't think it is necessary.

This is what is stated at the bottom of the quote:
This price includes the cost of the private minivan, driver, gas, road tolls, parking fees and taxes. It does not include a gratuity for your driver.

This is a point to point transfer with no stops.

"does not include a gratuity for your driver" - what makes you think an additional "gratuity" (euphemism for bribe) is needed?
You were quoted a price, that is what you pay. Do not bribe people.

Interesting that it reads that way, worded very similar to how a US company would word such a service where tips are basically required.
In this case I would still plan on paying the amount quoted no more, unless like I said he stops at a store or you or stops for you to take pictures of the road in route, etc...

If at the end you pay the quoted rate and they want more I would give another 10 euro note rather than create an uncomfortable situation. I assume this is a 100-150 euro fare or in that neighborhood so 10 euro would less than 10% of the total.

You NEVER need to tip in Italy for anything, regardless of what the paperwork might state. Italy is NOT a tipping culture like North America. Pay only what the cost of the driver is and nothing more.

Personally, I wouldn't use this service because of the "gratuity not included" line. They know you're tourists and are trying to take advantage of you. Would you pay a waiter a gratuity if he came to your table and said "oh, by the way, gratuity is not included but is expected"?

Pay the required price and no more, ever!

Donna

I respectfully disagree with Donna on this. I would imagine that a private driver works for a company because he/she needs money to live. Therefore, if he/she makes a little more from a tip, I am sure that they would appreciate it, even if they may not expect it. Italy may not be a 'tipping culture', but that does not stop me from showing appreciation for good service when I travel there (or anywhere). I don't recall anyone ever giving me my money back saying "Sorry, sir, people don't usually tip in Italy, so I am returning this to you". Frankly, if you can afford to travel to Europe and hire private drivers, you can afford to tip someone for good service, and you should. How much is up to you.

The long standing tradition is that tipping is not required in Italy. Experienced travellers and local consumers do not tip and lament that inexperienced visitors that keep expanding the gap to a tipping culture. The recipients are not dumb; they will be more than happy to accept your free money. I am sure that employers want to keep their employees happy. So if they can throw in the one-liner at the bottom of the invoice or menu and the employee gets a tip out of it from a generous tourist, why would they care? Our North American tipping culture is strong. When travelling with a group of friends in Italy, and they call for a pool to tip a driver, waitress or whomever, am I going to say no?

Two words: Reservoir Dogs.

Robert, do you also tip the ticket takers at the sites, the shop keepers, the guards at the sites and everyone else you come in contact with or is it just certain people that you tip? People in Italy make a living wage, unlike some positions here in the States where they get paid significantly more because they are in a tipped position.

You may not have had anyone try to return a tip to you but it happens a lot by honest workers who know that you don't know the customs. When you travel you should abide by the customs of the country you're visiting.

Donna

@Donna: Let's just disagree about this. The OP was asking about tipping a private driver. Your opinion is no, mine is yes. And the cultural police of Italy will not arrest you if you choose to tip or not to tip. However, to take your cultural sensitivity comment to an extreme, if having a mistress is the norm in Italy (a la Berlesconi), should a visitor abide by that too and seek one out after arriving in country? @funpig, for the record, I am an experienced traveler and don't lament others tipping. Not sure I got your 'Reservoir Dogs' reference, other than everyone was shot and bled to death at the end of the movie. But that's typical for a Tarantino flick.